‘IRS Stimulus Payment’ Scam Targets the US Taxpayers

As per the news published by wsbradio on January 6, 2009, with recession striking hard on the US, there is a talk in Washington to release a fresh package of economic stimulus. At the same time, it is also understood that some Internet scammers are attempting to capitalize on this news via e-mails.

A sample of such e-mails asks its recipient to enter details to process a stimulus payment from IRS. But, according to the IRS officials, the e-mail is clearly a scam and many more such scams are expected as the tax season approaches. They also said that while there are some official logos and language depicted in the e-mail, the IRS does not request information online.

Noting certain details of the e-mail fraud, the officials said that the most recent edition of the scam arrives with the e-mail caption "Stimulus Payment form it's ready for you to submit".

Addressing the recipient, the e-mail states that based on the previous yearly calculations of the recipient's fiscal activity, it has been found that he or she is entitled for a 'Stimulus Payment'. Furthermore, the e-mail also contains a file which appears like a PDF, but if carefully examined shows an extra .htm added to its name.

However, on clicking it, users are redirected to a web page that belongs to the British teen site namely www.imuze.co.uk. The page is located in /lol/ directory. Moreover, the site is a law-abiding site and is even conscious of its visitor's safety.

Meanwhile, IRS Spokesman, Mark Green, said that warning should be raised whenever any source pretends to represent the IRS and requests the user to submit personal information like social security number or any other identifying details, as reported by WALB NEWS on January 6, 2009.

According to Green, the information requested is obsolete as it asks for 2007 details, while the actual dealings are with 2008.

Meanwhile, the IRS, which is conscious that its 'consumers' are phishers' favorite target, has listed several tips to help users recognize a phishing attack. Moreover, it suggests users to inform any suspicious e-mail by reporting at phishing@irs.gov or to use the IRS help-line to know more about such e-mails.

Related article: “Loopholes did not cause online banking thefts”: ICBC

» SPAMfighter News - 1/14/2009